The Front Headlock System: Peruvian Necktie
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Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across NeckΒ·CorePRO BJJ
If you can control the front headlock, you can control the match. In this video, I'll break down how to finish the Peruβ¦
Translation: Peruvian Necktie (katakana loanword)
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The Peruvian necktie from front headlock with shin across the neck is the standard application of this technique, where the attacker holds a front headlock and swings one leg over the opponent's head, placing the shin across the back of the neck. [1] From the front headlock, the attacker sits to the hip on the side of the choking arm, then threads the near leg over the opponent's head so the shin presses against the cervical spine. [1],[2] The leg acts as a powerful lever β pulling the hands while pressing the shin creates a three-point compression system that attacks the neck from multiple angles simultaneously. [2] This is the most commonly taught and highest-percentage Peruvian necktie variant. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
High-percentage finish when secured correctly β the shin across the neck creates a powerful choking fulcrum combined with head-and-arm compression [1]
Lineage
Tony DeSouza's original version demonstrated at ADCC and in MMA; the shin-across-neck detail is the defining mechanic of the technique [1]
Competition Record
Multiple ADCC and no-gi world championship finishes; notably used by Tony DeSouza, Dustin Hazelett, and other 10th Planet practitioners [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Compression of the neck structures β restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved β Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector β Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic β Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt β Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) β Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch β Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Variants
Standard grip variation β primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure
Gi variation β uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional friction and control
No-gi variation β adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling without the gi
Transition finish β applied during a positional change to catch the opponent off-guard
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Necktie chokes use leg pressure over the back combined with front headlock grip for extreme compression
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ ADCC β Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ Unified MMA β Legal β choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe Peruvian necktie from front headlock with shin across the neck throws one leg over the opponent's back while placing the shin directly on the back of the neck β the shin acts as a rigid bar driving the head into the choking arm (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
βFrom front headlock: establish the necktie grip, then swing a leg over the opponent's back and place the shin on the posterior neck β the weight of the leg and the shin bone create downward compression
βThe shin placement is the finishing detail: the hard tibial bone presses the cervical area, forcing the head down and forward into the choking arm's forearm
βThe shin-across-neck variant is the most common Peruvian necktie finish: the combination of the leg's weight and the shin's rigidity creates substantial force with minimal muscular effort
βFinishing: fall to the choking side while the shin maintains contact β the body weight drops while the shin drives the head into the forearm, creating the strangling compression
βThe shin-across-neck creates a lever system: the leg over the back is the effort arm, the shin is the fulcrum, and the forearm is the resistance surface β the neck is caught between
βThis variant works against defensive turtling: the turtled opponent's exposed back is ideal for the leg-over-shin placement
Common Mistakes
!Not getting the leg fully over the back β the shin must reach the neck; a leg that only reaches the upper back doesn't create sufficient neck pressure
!Placing the shin on the skull instead of the neck β the shin targets the cervical area just below the skull; skull placement pushes the head but doesn't compress the neck
!Not maintaining the headlock grip during leg placement β the grip must stay tight; loosening during the transition allows head extraction
!Falling to the wrong side β fall toward the choking arm; opposite-side falling opens the grip
!Not driving the shin actively into the neck β the shin should press into the neck, not simply rest on it; active driving increases compression
!Attempting against an opponent who has flattened out β the shin-over-back requires the opponent to be on their knees; flatten defence requires switching to another headlock attack
!Using the leg placement without the headlock grip β the shin alone is a control tool; the headlock grip is what creates the strangle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position β achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat β begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold β lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish β apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Yahooη₯ζ΅θ’ BJJ community; Acai Cafe (cafe.quietwarriors.com)
Japanese Q&A community β BJJ technique name verification
Japanese BJJ community forum
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationYahooη₯ζ΅θ’ BJJ community; Acai Cafe (cafe.quietwarriors.com)
Japanese terminology sourced from Yahooη₯ζ΅θ’ BJJ community; Acai Cafe (cafe.quietwarriors.com)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the proper hand positioning for the Peruvian necktie from front headlock?
Place one hand under the chin and one hand under the arm, then connect your hands palm to palm for a secure grip.
How do I transition into the finish once I have the grip set up?
Pop your hips up into a low squat, sit to the floor with your hamstring behind your opponent's neck, cross your feet, and press your hamstring down while pulling your hands for a strong finish.
What's the role of the hamstring in completing this technique?
As you sit, position your hamstring behind the opponent's neck, then press it down firmly while punching your leg down and pulling your hands to create the finish.
How does the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck work?
The Peruvian necktie from front headlock with shin across the neck is the standard application of this technique, where the attacker holds a front headlock and swings one leg over the opponent's head, placing the shin across the back of the neck. From the front headlock, the attacker sits to the hip on the side of the choking arm, then threads the near leg over the opponent's head so the shin presses against the cervical spine.
Where does the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck come from?
Tony DeSouza debuted this technique in MMA competition in the mid-2000s, earning the 'Peruvian necktie' name from his heritage. The front headlock shin-across-neck entry became the standard teaching version as the technique spread through BJJ and MMA academies worldwide.
Is the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: legal β Legal; Unified MMA: legal β Legal β choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
Danger rating 9/10. Necktie chokes use leg pressure over the back combined with front headlock grip for extreme compression
How do I set up the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position β Create the Threat β Secure the Hold β Finish.
How do I defend against the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition β identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base β maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight β deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fricβ¦); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling witβ¦); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent β¦).
How effective is the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck in competition?
Multiple ADCC and no-gi world championship finishes; notably used by Tony DeSouza, Dustin Hazelett, and other 10th Planet practitioners
What are common mistakes when doing the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
Top errors to watch for: Not getting the leg fully over the back β the shin must reach the neck; a leg that only reaches the upper back doesn'β¦ / Placing the shin on the skull instead of the neck β the shin targets the cervical area just below the skull; skull plβ¦ / Not maintaining the headlock grip during leg placement β the grip must stay tight; loosening during the transition alβ¦ / Falling to the wrong side β fall toward the choking arm; opposite-side falling opens the grip.
What are other names for the Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck?
The Peruvian Necktie From Front Headlock Shin-Across Neck is also known as Peruvian Nekutai, Shin-Across Peruvian Necktie, Shin-Press Peruvian.